Boxer needs a docked tail!!!

Tan007_2

I am mad about Boxer dogs and have wanted one for ages, I have finally convinced my husband to get a pet!! I was brought up with them as a child and would love one, however I cant stand the thought of one with a tail, I know this should not make any difference but I hate it so much. Is there anyway of getting a docked puppy?

Nomad25

Well I don't think docking is legal any more - although I'm sure you will find an unscrupulous person or vet who will mutilate this animal to suit your requirements!

Browntoa

From 6 April 2007 in England, and 28 March in Wales, the docking of dogs' tails has been banned except for certain working dogs or where the procedure is required for the purposes of medical treatment. The docking of dogs' tails has been banned in Scotland, without any exception for working dogs, under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 with effect from 30 April 2007.

In England the following can be docked:

1. Hunt point retrieve breeds of any type or combination of types.

2. Spaniels of any type or combination of types.

3. Terriers of any type or combination of types.

In Wales the following can be docked:

1. Spaniels of the following breeds: English Springer Spaniel, Welsh Springer Spaniel and Cocker Spaniel, but not combinations of breeds

2. Terriers of the following breeds: Jack Russell Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, but not combinations of breeds

3. Hunt point retrievers of the following breeds:

polomint_2

Do you really want to put a puppy through such pain?


What is tail docking?
Tail docking today is the amputation of a dog's tail at varying lengths to suit the recommendations of a breed Standard. Docking involves the amputation of the puppy's tail either with scissors, a knife or with a rubber band. The cut goes through many highly sensitive nerves in the tissues including skin, cartilage, and bone. This procedure is usually performed without any anaesthetic at between three to five days of age. The procedure can be performed by either a registered veterinary surgeon or by an experienced dog breeder. In many countries veterinarians are declining to perform this unnecessary procedure, meaning that breeders are now docking more dogs.
Is tail docking painful for the puppy? Yes, there is strong evidence that this is the case. The puppy has a fully developed nervous system and a well-developed sense of pain. While the puppy cannot tell us that it is in pain, many biological markers show that pain is occurring.

Froglet

I SO agree with you polo mint.it is people like tan who are making it hard to get rid of this cruel idea that docking is necessary and makes a dog look better.It's tail is used for so many things,above all ,pleasure at seeing it's owners,and signalling it's feelings to other dogs.It is a form of smiling.How would tan feel if her mouth was cut away so she couldn't smile?

Please please think again,trying to find a puppy that has has it done illegally will have meant dreadful pain.

greenmoneysaver_2

I agree with all of the above.

I have worked in veterinary practice and have NEVER seen a working dog with a tail injury! It is usually Labs, who never stop wagging, which smack their tail off a wall or car window that hurt their tails.

I have seen too many puppies die from infected tail amp wounds to advocate going near a docked puppy.

Seeing a Boxer or Rottie or other usually docked breed wag their tail to express normal emotions is wonderful.

Be brave, get an undocked Boxer and educate the thousands who think they are born without tails - you will be doing everyone a favour.

weegie.geek

Just out of interest, why do you particularly want its tail docked?

SiuLoong

I find it hard to believe anyone could have such a selfish and cruel attitude towards an animal, and I think if you have that little consideration for the welfare of an animal you intend to keep for 10 years or so you should seriously consider whether its appropriate that you have one at all.

Docking for cosmetic reasons is cruel, and that is why it is illegal now. There is plenty of evidence that the puppy involves suffers, and that is when it is done properly. The only dogs that can legally be docked (where I work anyway) are those that are going to be genuine working dogs. How many working Boxers are there around at the moment? I have a dog that traditionally would have been docked, her tail is beautiful and is a huge part of her personality and we would be worse off if she didn't have it.

It makes me a little happier that at least the other people replying have a sense of reality and hopefully will make you realize how cruel it actually is.

polomint_2

This post has caused great debate in our house.

As my partner just said, simply put,and sums it all up....

A dog smiles with its tail.

HC_2

I'm so horrified at this poster's attitude, I can barely type.

I do so hope you change your mind, Tan007, when you've read all the above replies.

In fact, I rather hope you change your mind about owning any dog, at all, ever.

withabix

Not sure why you would want to dock a terrier. How do you pull it back out of a rabbit hole if you've docked it's tale?? Don't shout - that's the only way you're going to get one back if the idiot gets itself stuck!! Our Patterdale Terrier has got all of his tail. He was used for rabbiting before we got him.

I did have a springer once who had to have his tale amputated at 18 months old BECAUSE he had damaged it. I prefer them with the tail personally.

Our cocker has about 3 inches. She's second generation down from 1996 Crufts Supreme Champion (Canigou Cambrai or 'Albert'), along with a good proportion of black ones you will see at the moment, so I guess she was docked before we got her because of breed standard (before the law changed). She's just a pet to us though, so her bloodline stops here!

The previous cocker (must be 25 years ago) only had enough tail to cover his bum. Poor thing.